doing enough to make sure everyone will be able to vote in november. a new law requires voters to show a photo id in order to cast their ballot. pennsylvania's 20 electoral college votes are at stake. all right, the worldwide fury about anti-islam movie taken its deadliest toll. a suicide bomber slammed her car into a minivan in kabul. abc's t.j. winick details at take and consequences. good morning, t.j. >> reporter: good morning. the violence continues in afghanistan. a new tactic by nato troops to contain a recent spate of killings. another deadly day in afghanistan tied to that anti-islamic film that spread violent protests across the muslim world. this time a massive car bomb killed 13 people including south africas. my son was with me this man said. i hugged him and ran inside the hotel. it comes just as nato is halting most joint missions with afghan

soldiers. the coalition says it is also because of heightened threats due to the movie "innocence of muslims" and comes in the wake of a rise in so-called green on blue or insider killings, where afghan soldiers being trained by nato allies suddenly turn on them. so far this year, 51 coalition troops have been killed in these attacks. >> i am fed up with watching seriously good soldiers waste their lives, have their lives wasted, by people who are meant to be our friend. >> reporter: because of the heightened concerns, coalition soldiers will no longer go on joint patrols with afghans unless a senior general gives permission. nato suggested the only permanent change in policy will be more extensive vetting of afghan forces working along side nato troops. >> we will continue to pafrtner assist, give advice, to train, afghan security forces. >> reporter: the joint patrols have long been seen as a crucial way to train afghan force sews they can learn to take on the

taliban on their own after the u.s. withdrawals in 2014. a french mag zazine says it is publishing caricatures of the prophet muhammad in the edition today. the french prime minister condemned it and called it a catastrophe. the chicago teachers strike is over, clearing the way for hundreds of thousand of stuf dnts to head back to school this morning. after missing seven days of classes, union delegates voted 98% in favor of reopening schools. e lated teachers were cheering, honking horns and singing solidarity forever. the mayor called the settlement an honest compromise. >> this contract is a barack with past practices and brings a fundamental change that benefits our children. >> we knew we were going to have to give up some stuff in order to got some stuff. >> the standoff was largely based on teacher evaluations and job security. the same two issues at the heart of school reform efforts across

the country. the contract still has to be ratified by chicago's 25,000 teachers. american airlines cutting thousand of jobs. the airline is sending out layoff warnings to more than 11,000 workers, mostly in fort worth and tulsa. a company spokesman says the actual number of job losses will be closer to 4,400. cuts affecting mechanics, and ground workers are part of the bankruptcy reorganization, and cutting flights by 2% through october. a former yale university student is under arrest in california, accused of making threatening comments online. 21-year-old eric yee allegedly post on espn website that he was watching children and wouldn't mind killing them. police linked the comments to the los angeles area, home where yee lives with his parents. they say several guns were found in the home which overlooks two schools. >> we're keeping in very close contact with our local officers. and -- we are -- taking every precaution. they have -- told us as of right

now that we are safe at school. and so we are following procedures. we do have emergency procedures available and have not put any in place at this time. >> yee mentioned the shooting would be look the aurora, colorado massacre. he is being held on $1 million bail. a line of fierce storms making its way up the east coast. flooding rains and strong winds struck all along the heavy populated i-95 corridor. >> tornado watches in effect until a short time ago in new york state including here in new york city. thousands without power as a result of the winds. massive trees blown over. smashing into homes. knocking down electrical lines. power companies are struggling to get them all back up. the damage though, was extensive but no serious physical injuries which is good. sunny, you have personal experience with this. what happened. tell everybody. i feel so bad for you. >> a couple trees came down. you know, i -- >> did it hit your house? >> did not -- hit the side of

our garage. >> wow. >> yeah, it's unbelievable. i tell people i live in the forest. i don't live that far away from -- from manhattan. but i live about, 20 miles out. and all of my. >> power went out right away? >> power went out. two trees went out. i was unprepared. >> could you get your cars out of the driveway? >> no. >> not good. did you ride your bicycle to work? >> almost didn't make it. i had to be here for you and our viewers. >> you know how to spent it. thank you, sunny. glad you are okay. glad the family is okay. is your power back on? >> hopefully. sort of spotty right now. >> all right, good. here is your wednesday weather. all the rain clears out of the northeast except for a few lingering showers in maine. pop-up thunderstorms in florida. showers in the upper midwest. up to 10 degrees warmer than there mall in the pacific northwest. 76 in seattle. moestly 80s in the rockies, great plains. 70s from boston down to atlanta. parents of children in one rode island school system are

caught between tradition and the law. the school system announced it will no longer hold gender specific events, father/daughter dances and mother/son bowling parties because they violate state law. >> this sound hard to believe. the move prompted by a letter from aclu on behalf of a single mom who said it wasn't fair to her daughter. >> i have attended the father/daughter dances. my wife has done son/mother bowling. >> doing them since i was a child. i think my kids have the right to have the same with their moms and dads too. >> we really do our kids a disservice when we promote gender stereotypes. >> title 9 law, federal law, includes an exemption that allows father/daughter dances. rhode island law does not. the school superintendent said she had no choice. >> so a rhode island specific law. i knew federal law was different. that is the topic of the facebook question this morning. >> we want to know --hould schools allow gender specific events. log on to wnnfans.com.

weigh in. i have gone to the, father/daughter dance with my daughter. two years in a row. great little time. i can't imagine anyone thinking there is anything wrong with that. >> i don't know how i feel. >> it's nice to spend, dads, plenty working moms, dads tend to be away at work, maybe more in some cases than in traditional homes. and it's nas ice to have a day h your daughter at a dance. what's wrong. they could have a mom/son dance. they have a mother/daughter tea social, i think as well at the school. >> i have done the father/daughter dance as well. i would imagine that some single family parent homes, some people may feel excluded. bah what do you do if there is the father/daughter dance and you don't have a dad. i suppose you can bring an uncle or someone else. but. >> yeah. >> suppose it must be in the spirit of beingen cl einclusive. >> allow extra people. don't cancel the event. >> didn't cancel the event.

can't wait to hear what the viewers think on that. coming up the summer of the shark off the coast of cape cod. now the catch of a live time for researchers hoping to learn more about these dangerous predators. >> but first, a royal victory, a judge issues an order on the topless photos of kate middleton. is it too little? too late? we'll let you know. it's "world news now" you are watching. ♪ >> announcer: "world news now" weather brought to you by peachtree settlement funding.

♪ welcome back. next up the legal victory for the british royals. william and kate. the french judge has given the mag zen that published race yo photos of kate until late tire day to turn over all the digital copies of the pictures.

>> the decision came as the couple was in the south pacific. abc's bob woodruff is with them. ♪ >> reporter: just as the court's decision was coming down, will and kate were enjoying some regal treatment and it would be a happier day for the couple, certainly worth a little dance. the french court's ruling prohibits the magazine "closer" from publishing any more pictures of kate while demanding digital copies be returned to the royal family within 24 hours. stiff fines for failing to comply. but the mag zazine has sold 400,000 copies and the photos have now been published in ireland and italy. next, the royals want criminal charges brought against the mag zen and an investigation into who took the topless pictures of kate. >> this type of photographer, this type of gutter journalism went be tolerated. >> reporter: if convicted the photographer yet to be identified could spend a year in jail. the royal couple determined to

seek justice. bob woodruff, abc news, solomon island. >> that could change the day. if you are going to lose your liberty over taking the photographs, and may be in prison for a year, you may not take them. fined $2,500. who cares. >> of course, they're out there. doesn't matter what digital shots they get back. they're on the net. you've can see them now and until the end of time. >> that's true they're out there forever. to your point, we have been talking about this. if you are a public person you have to be on notice that this could happen. >> it's not fair. it's not right. it shouldn't be this way. if i am a royal i am going to make sure i am not out on a terrace topless. just goes with the territory. shouldn't have to be that way. but it is. >> but it is. >> still to come the catch of the day. >> how some researchers stumbled across their latest subject in a big way. you are watching "world news now." ♪ snoip

welcome back. it is time to get much closer to a huge great white shark than any of us could possibly think safe. and it is all in the name of science. >> now to do so we go on board the world's only vessel that can capture, tag and keep track of a great white. our boston station reports. >> reporter: this is the architect, chris fisher of the history channel "shark wranglers" the goal is to pull great whiltes on board so they can tag and study them. and on thursday they got the catch of a lifetime. she has been dubbed genie, a 15 foot great white, scientists were able to take blood samples attach a tracking advice and a device to her dorsal fin and release her. >> she looks great. >> reporter: researchers have been tracking genie ever since. >> history was made off cape

cod. for the first time, spot tagged. now we'll solve the puzzle of her life. she will show us her two year migration. >> reporter: learning the pattern, will tell researchers where she breeds and gives birth. that information is vital to protecting her. >> they're under assault, up to 70,000 sharks are killed for a bowl of soup in china. >> reporter: a $2 million endeavor and relies on donors. this soap opera star is one of the donors. state shark expert says the reesen recent increase in populations off massachusetts could be a clearer sight going forward. >> we went from tagging eight in 2011 to now we are over 15, 16, in 2012. >> well at least we will learn more. i mean i was -- in rhode island along the cape.

i saw a bunch of seals. i was thinking sharks were coming. >> if you see seals, get out of the water. good advice right there. i'm done!

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it's time for "the mix." is that any good? >> so good. >> national talk like a pirate day. i don't know why. it just is. take my word for it. feel free to talk like a pirate. sunny, you make an adorable pirate. i say. >> thank you. >> some pickup lines i want to lay on you. pirate pickup lines. the list i have been given. i like this one. i would like to drop my anchor in your lagoon. you look that one? par do pardon me, would you mind if i fire my cannon through your porthole. >> i like your pirate. >> well, blow me down the how

would you look to scrape some barnacles off my rudder. >> the bird that repeats everything. >> let me hear your pirate growl. >> argh. >> i want one of these. >> watch a little "spongebob." there you go. national pirate day, everybody. >> all right, how about this next. president obama's productivity tactics. probably one of the most busiest people in the world the these are some of his tips. one, gets a head start on his day, the night before. stays up until 1:00 in the morning. long after his family has turned in. looks through the binders of documents he has to review and gets his thoughts organized for the next day. two, protects his personal time. that late night period apparently is his personal time. two other blocks he keeps sacred, working out. and dane e dinner with his chil. and he, limits routine, us you will only see hip wearing blue

or gray suits. has to make so many big decisions he doesn't waste time on small decisions. >> blue, gray, keep it simple. i am running the world here. >> i couldn't do that though. >> you are a woman. >> i like fashion choices. >> you are the fashionista. bummer, no hard feelings for a dog after he forces a hunter in france to kind of shoot hill self in the hand. a leaping dog shot his master in the hand catching the trigger of his shot gun on a hunt. a hunting dog. went to retrieve. instead, he had to have his hand amputated. he said it is not the dog's fault. he is adorable. man's best friend. >> man's best friend. russian diamond. apparently a crater was fund to hold trillions of carats. i was so very excited. but they're impact diamond. only good for technological purposes. wah-wah. >> say it again.

wah-wah. wah-wah. >>

this morning on "world news now" -- no apologies. mitt romney stand by his controversial comments as president obama reacts on late night tv. >> we are learning this morning how the secret tape came to light. it is wednesday, september 19th. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." good wednesday morning. i'm sunny hostin. >> i'm john muller. rob and paula are on assignment. we well have more on the fallout from the tape of mitt romney. first a look at some of the other stories we are following this half-hour. school is finally in session this morning for more than 300,000 chicago schoolkid. their teach eaers agree to sus

their strike and go back to the classroom. i'm sure there are happy parents in chicago this morning. plus it is not the davinci code, an ancient manuscript that may reveal jesus may have had a wife. how this document may reignite christianity's biggest debates. the best in shows. viewers told us what tv shows are their favorite. i know i have mine. john, you have yours. >> good scene. >> we'll bring you the number one pick, best show of all time. and "all in the family" who didn't love that, or "m.a.s.h. ". >> we could go on. mitt romney campaigns in florida and georgia today as the political firestorm over his off the cuff remarks still rages. runningmate paul ryan defending the controversial comments also called romney obviously inarticulate. with more reaction we are joined by abc's karen travers in washington. karen.

>> reporter: good morning, john. good morning, sunny. the tapes could not have come at a worse time for mitt romney. and it really gets to the core of one of his biggest weaknesses. voters just don't think he cares about their concerns. the romney campaign is scrambling to contain the damage after his remarks at a private fund raiser in may were leaked. >> there are 47% who are with him who depend upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a spent to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, you name it. >> reporter: romney hasn't backed down. in an interview with fox news he tried to explain his comments. >> frankly we have two very different views about america. the president's view is one of a larger government. >> reporter: president obama told david letterman there aren't a lot of americans who think they're victims or entighted to something. >> one of the things i have learned as president is you represent the entire country. my expectation is that if you want to be president you have

got to work for everybody not just for some. >> reporter: the 47% comment could magnify one of romney's biggest weaknesses. voter don't believe he is empathetic. an abc news/"washington post" poll found that 58% said romney would favor the wealthy over the middle-class. it has been a rocky september for romney. and his next chance for a game changer may not come until the first presidential debate october 3. >> the only opportunity he will have to force from errors and cracks in the found dags and move on in the final 30 days. >> reporter: the campaign clearly sees this as a pivotal moment. romney has already spent 30 hours in debate prep. john, sunny, more is expected over the next two weeks. this morning we are hearing from the researcher with a famous political name who helped bring the romney tape to light. james carter iv, the grandson of the former president, said he thought it was important to release this video. now he heard from his grandfather about it. >> he wrote back this morning

and said that if it was extraordinary and congratulations. >> the younger carter says he agrees people that called it poetic justice for the swipes romney has taken at his grandfather. >> i was wondering how that video got released. >> now we know. how about that? >> i thought it was videotaped quite a while ago. right? >> months ago. yes. >> why hold it? that's, i mean the timing. >> timing is everything. >> ex-ququisite for the obama campaign not for the romney campaign. interesting. a major change in the war in afghanistan. nato commanders have called a temporary halt to the joint operations with afghan troops the cornerstone of the west exit strategy. the move after a spike in the so-called insider attacks. and the turmoil over that anti-islam film. just yesterday, a suicide car bomber killed at least 12 people

including nine foreigners. a french satire mag zen set to publish cartoons of the prophet muhammad. adding fuel to the fire in the muslim world, the magazine is claiming its right to free speech. but the french prime minister is condemning the move and calling it a catastrophe. more than 350,000 students are headed back to class. teachers voted overwhelmingly in favor of suspending the streak that shut down the nation's third largest district after sparring over evaluations and job security. both side expressed relief that the walkout is over. >> this contract is a break with past practices and brings a fundamental change that benefits our children. >> the trust is going to be a big issue. it is going to see how this contract is enforced. >> yesterday's vote was just on whether to continue the strike, not on the contract offer itself. the full membership of more than 25,000 teachers still has to vote on the contract.

william and kate have wrapped up their royal visit to the solomon island and are headed home. a french judge handed the couple a minor victory yesterday in the battle over topless photos of the duchess. the magazine which printed the pictures was fined $2,500 and forbid in to publish any more of the images. it doesn't mean much since the pictures are already in wide circulation. officials on both sides of the border are on alert after the prison break in mexico. more than 100 dangerous inmates escaped by digging a tunnel through the prison workshop. three females were discovered hiding in a prison visiting area. but the rest are still on the loose. >> kind of makes you wonder. dig a tunnel, nobody inside the prison knows what is going on? >> i know. and, there were -- many, many prisoners escaped. not talking one or two. >> mexico is really -- prolific at prison escapes. let me read a couple lit. >> is that right? >> one, two years ago, 150

inmates escaped from a prison across rio grande. 41 guard aiding the escape. in 2009, a prison down in, little further south, more than two dozen men dressed as federal police officers raided the prison and set people free. >> sound like a movie. >> they have pretty amazing prison escapes down there. one of the men who helped make the nfl what it is today remembered as a true broadcasting pioneer. steve sabol, president of nfl films he started with his father in the 60s. revolutionized the way football and sports in general are broadcast on tv. he died after battling brain cancer. he was 69 years old. well, a fascinating scrap of paper, smaller than a business card, is renewing an age-old theological debate. did jesus have a wife? a harvard scholar revealed the faded piece of papyrus, written 400 years after jesus died which

contains this phrase, jesus said to them, my wife. it goes on to say she will be able to be my disciple. karen king, the harvard profe professor is asking other experts to weigh in. and in el monte, california last night hundreds turned out at a city council meeting to support a group of lifeguard who had been fired. ♪ ♪ >> i like that one. >> a spoof of the viral video, gangnam style. t thousands signed an online petition on their behalf. and the korean rapper, who started the gangnam craze asked for them to be reinstated. firing them for doing that?

>> you know i am obsessed with gangnam style. i know the dance. all of this stuff. but why fire them it? was a good video. >> yeah. right. >> look at them. >> i guess they're on city property, maybe. security, insurance. seems silly in its own right. even if you accept that, firing the guys? >> they have lost their sense of humor. >> they have lost their sense of humor. i don't like that. >> me neither. people made the video. >> we asked, you voted. we'll tell you what viewers say is the top tv show of all time. >> first, the photo of the mom breast-feeding her 3-year-old on the magazine. now the woman at the center of the attachment issue speaks out. you are watching "world news now." ♪ ♪ >> announcer: "world news now" weather brought to you by hoveround chair. [ thunder crashes ]

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♪ ♪ >> happy wednesday morning.

and welcome back. and, for this story, maybe we should say, she's back. the she we are talking about the mother who appeared on the cover of "time" magazine while breast-feeding her young son. >> yep, she is still breast-feeding him and has been talking to abc's cecilia vega about it. >> reporter: the mother made famous from this photo, now four months after the time cover, of the mom breast-feeding her son, hit newsstands she is speaking out. >> i don't agree with the cover. i don't agree with the article. >> reporter: and to set the record straight she is doing it all over again. breast-feeding her son, now 4, on the cover of another magazine. this time, with her entire family by her side. >> our intentions were to try to help relieve the stigma attached to breast-feeding past infancy. and the photo that i saw wasn't one tha we were trying to pose

for. it made me really sad. >> reporter: she was breast-fed until she was 6 years old. in the new photo shoot for the nonprofit magazine "pathways to family wellness" she is seen breast-feeding her son samuel, adopted from africa alongside her biological son. moms are weighing in on blogs all over again. some say the pictures are beautiful. others ask if she is simply milk the moment. what would you say to people who say, child protective services should have been called? >> that's just the ignorance of not understanding full term breast-feeding. and knowing it is really normal in other cultures, just not normal here. >> reporter: now she hopes the controversy over the cover shot will bring attention to anotherer to cloanother issue to orphan children in africa. >> if we focus that attention to children that don't have food an don't have parents. that's where we are going to see the change. >> cecilia ve echlvega, abc new

angeles. >> why do i think you have something to say, sunny? >> breast-fed is the best fed. and health benefits. i nursed both of my children. a 6-year-old and 10-year-old. i do think that when your child has teeth and walks and talks and can walk to you and walk to your breast and say i'm hungry. i think it's time. >> think it's time. >> to stop. >> two, use with that. some people are more freaked out if you will about the idea that the kid is old. the other people are, the one whose are freaked out, plenty are, are more freaked out about the idea you are putting this on the cover of the magazine. >> i am not offended by that at all. i just think what are the, the real benefits of nursing a 6-year-old? i mean -- isn't that what we are talking about. this child is almost 4 >> she was nursed until she was 6 years old. >> i don't think there are health benefits. certainly in other cultures. talking perhaps places where

there is -- there are issues. here, i don't know. if she having thoser use? >> such a complicated one. i could pass my quick judgments. kind of a natural thing too. why should you be ashamed? >> it's loaded. loaded. i can't, we are going to get tons of tweets and e-mails on facebook responses. and i want to hear what y'all think. >> bring them on. >> that's interesting. >> a good one. from the bunkers to huxtables and the bar "cheers" you picked the 15 favorite shows. >> next, we'll reveal number one. you are watching "world news now." >> one, two, three.

>> hey, paula, happy anniversary. >> rob, i'm a little busy right now.

>> talking about the 20th anniversary. >> can't you see i'm busy. we have a newscast to do. >> 20 years, live, overnight news, fun, smart, a little attitude. >> you are talking about the 20th anniversary of the "world news now." we should do a promo. a great line to use in the promo. >> we need a proposalo. >> this is has been the abc's "world news now" 20th anniversary proposalo. ♪ songs that made the hit parade ♪ ♪ guys like us we had it made ♪ those were the days >> hit the high note -- [ laughter ] >> showing our age, sunny. >> we are the theme from "allen the family" one of the finalists for best tv show of all time, in a survey condiucted by abc news and people magazine. >> our sharyn alfonsi tells us

more about the finalists. ♪ >> reporter: there are five favorite tv shows. we noticed something. >> that's why i like soup. >> reporter: each an american family, some traditional. ♪ song that made the hit parade ♪ >> reporter: some unexpected. ♪ some times you want to go where everybody knows your name ♪ >> reporter: families formed in bars and on battlefield. ♪ depicting the korean war "m.a.s.h." on the air 11 years, eight years longer than the war. allen alda pushed for scenes in the operating room. capturing our hearts in the process. that last kiss between hawkeye and hotlips, the longest onscreen tv kiss ever, 35 second. and there was this kiss too. >> one, two, three. that moment, improvised by sammy

davis jr. and "all in the family" originally rung a warning before the show saying they're trying to shine the light on our frailties and prejudices doing it with a punchline. some of our tv families almost didn't happen." "seinfeld" pilot a disaster. producers said they needed a girl. so they got one. >> get out! >> reporter: and she changed everything. so did this funny lady. >> you have to take a whole tablespoonful after every meal. >> reporter: she did it in one take. one take, that kept our families laughing for decade. sharyn alfonsi, abc news, new york. >> that may be my all time favorite. >> tasty too. the best scene. >> i also like when she was smushing grapes with her feet. stomping the grapes. >> classic. on assembly line, stuffing

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will answer some of your questions, and help you find the aarp medicare supplement plan that's right for you. ♪ i'm watching i'm watching i'm watching american television ♪ ♪ i'm watching i'm watching i'm watching american television ♪ ♪ i'm watching well, finally this half-hour, an extremely rare sight, captured on camera. simply by chance. it comes to us from australia where maci massive wildfires ar burning. >> a tornado of fire. spins along the ground. sam champion has all the details. >> reporter: this swimmering inferno amazingly caught on tape. a stream of 100 foot flames

ignites in the outback where firefighters have been battling brush fires nearly a week. this region hasn't seen rainfall since the end of april. it all happened monday afternoon when chris tangy was scouting locations, abc news licensed this stunning video from the 52-year-old filmmaker who says he was standing 1 f feet from all right action. >> i knew within 30 second this was a very unique event, probably globally, the sound of a jet engine. it was just -- it didn't even look real. >> this dust devil with fire occurs when intense, twisting ground level winds come in contact with fire propelling it upward into a column of warm, rising air. the phenomenon lasts for just a couple minutes. tangy found himself in the middle of mother nature's fury for an astonishing 40 minutes. >> i have never seen anything so big move so quickly in my life. it was awe inspiring, absolutely. and something i never expect to see again.

>> i am horrified just looking at it. can you imagine something like that? >> telling you what, man. it is not so much brush there, so i guess he felt safe where he was standing. >> exactly. we are seeing these, not this in particular, seeing the tornados and the hurricanes. >> have you ever been close to a tornado in person? >> i have not. even though i want to school in the midwest. i did see some -- thing from a far. it was terrifying then. the noise. >> you know as reporters. i was going to say, every single person says it sounded li eed l freight train. it really must. they all say the same thing. >> i remember that. that's the news for this half-hour. follow us on facebook at wnnfans.com. >> and on twitter. use the hash tag, wnnfans. coming up -- more news from abc. >> announcer:

this morning on "world news now" -- back to school. chicago teachers and 350,000 students return to class today. >> but some of the bitter disagreements that led to the strike still linger. it's wednesday, september 19th. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." good morning, i'm john muller. >> i'm sunny hostin. paula and rob are on assignment. we'll hear how the standoff in chicago finally ended in just a moment. also ahead, tracking the leaked romney video. and how it went public. abc's brian ross has the tale of the tape. and later, the nationwide crime wave known as apple

picking thieves with their eyes on iphones and ipads and going to extremes to get them. >> that is unbelievable to me. >> yeah, i know, i've got the phone nobody wants to steal. i won the say the company. i don't want to embarrass them. >> i have the ipad and iphone. >> you're all cool like that. >> he is back. regis philbin scores a recurring guest host gig, but he won't have to get up every morning. we will have all the details coming up in "the skinny." but we begin with 350,000 students hitting the books in chicago this morning. the teachers strike is finally over. >> after watching teachers walk the picket line more than a week both side are declaring victory. abc's brandi hitt joins us with the latest. good morning, brandi. >> reporter: good morning. this is the moment a lot of chicago families have been waiting for. the strike is now over and children will head back to school this morning. >> reporter: after a seven-day strike, the chicago teachers union announced teachers are putting away their picket signs and heading back to

the classroom. >> people were actually elated to take this suspension of the strike vote. >> reporter: with a 98% vote, the union decided to end the strike and move forward with a tentative contract with the city of chicago. that means the 350,000 children who have been out of school during this protest are returning to class immediately. >> we knew we were going to have to give up some stuff in order to get some stuff. >> reporter: over the last few days the strike got ugly between the city's mayor, who called the teachers strike illegal, and the teachers who called the mayor a bully. >> this contract is a break with past practices and brings a fundamental change that benefits our children. >> reporter: one of the main sticking points was the city's proposed teacher evaluation system. the union said it unfairly penalized teachers because it was too heavily based on standardized test scores. the city agreed to reduce the emphasis on student testing in their evaluations. but it is clear, there is still skepticism.

>> trust is going to be a big issue and going to see how this contract is enforced. >> reporter: it is not a done deal just t. while teachers are heading back to work they must still vote on the contract. >> we have reviewed it. we will have the opportunity to vote on it. but right now it is in the best interest of everyone to return to work. >> reporter: and teachers will end up voting on this contract within the next couple weeks. back to you. >> the strike affected 350,000 students. thank goodness they're back. can you imagine the scheduling, nightmare it was for parents too? >> i really can't imagine it, having two children myself. it is interesting because the contract offer gives teachers on average about 17.6% of a pay raise over the next four years, and, as well as retaining other salary bumps for experience and pursuing a graduate degree. that really, i think is a win for teachers. because as we know such an important job and many teachers are so underpaid. >> and still has not officially been ratified. let's hope it is. >> that's right. that's right. let's hope.

>> well, to politics where it is shaping up to be a rough week for mitt romney. the campaign acknowledged last night that it borrowed $20 million to boost cash flow before the republican convention. then there is that hidden camera video which is giving democrats easy ammunition in campaign ad even his own running mate, paul ryan said that romney was obviously inarticulate. the latest "the wall street journal" poll find president obama polling slightly ahead among likely voters. >> the video of romney was taken four months ago. who shot it? where has it been? why are we seeing it now? chief investigative correspondent brian ross is following the tale of the tape. >> reporter: the setting, this mansion in boca rato, florida, home of long time romney supporter and friend mark leider known as a private equity party boy in the gossip pages. it was may 17th, and reporters covering the campaign were told the event would be closed to the press. >> too bad you can't come to the fundraisers. >> reporter: the dinner was

supposed to be private and limited to those who paid $50,000 each to be there. but someone placed a camera in the room, secretly recording romney from what appears to be a wine serving table off to the side. occasionally the camera angle is adjusted as romney delivers the candid remarks that four months later would make headlines. >> and so my job is not to worry about these people. >> reporter: the romney tapes were first posted on line on youtube, may 31st, two weeks after the speech by a new user with the account romneyexposed. but they did not include the clip about the now infamous 47%. and it was only in late august when the story began to take shape, as "mother jones" magazine was put in touch with the source through the grandson of former president jimmy carter, who told msnbc, the source was not a 50,000 donor. >> i think it is probably fair to assume that. >> reporter: under florida law, it is a crime, felony to secretly

record some one who has a reasonable expectation that they're not being recorded. many say anyone running for president should always expect that they may be recorded by someone, somehow. brian ross, abc news, new york. overseas now to afghanistan where nato has temporarily scaled back joint operations with afghan army and police. the move follows a series of attacks by afghan forces, or militants wearing afghan uniforms that have killed 51 coalition troops in afghanistan this year. at least 26 people have died after a gas pipeline fire near the mexico-texas border. company executives said there was a gas leak followed by an explosion. but the precise cause had not been determined. pipelines carrying gasoline and diesel in mexico are frequently tapped by thieves looking to steal fuel. all right, tough times. some people borrowing money to get by. an oklahoma loan company says they have seen a 20% spike in the number of people borrowing on average $175 to go to the state fair.

admittedly a mission, ultimately rides cost a family of five, $98 not counting snacks. but that high interest $175 loan will cost $275 to pay back. wow. william and kate have wrapped up their royal visit to the solomon island and are headed home. a french judge handed the couple a minor victory yesterday, in the battle over topless photos of kate. the magazine which printed the pictures was fined $2,500, and forbid in to publish any more of the images. it doesn't mean much since the pictures are already in wide circulation. >> they issued a terse statement, the duke and duchess welcome the judge's ruling. french law is pretty interesting that way. different from american law. >> it's pretty robust. no question about it. >> yeah. >> i think the laws in europe in general are pretty robust. it's sort of a minor victory. because $2,500.

i was reading it, $2,500. $25,000, $250,000. i think it was such an invasion of privacy it crossed the line. i don't know that that sends message. on balance, all the magazines sold, if you are making a business decision, a tabloid, or magazine, you are thinking, pay $2,500. i am going to publish these pictures. not so sure this was as effective as it could have been. >> in addition to damages essentially a slap on the wrist. the pictures are out there. never going to put the genie in the bottle. with the internet and everything -- it's not like old days, get the negatives and lock them in the vault. >> at least they made the point. the line is drawn in the sand. you can't do this. >> yeah. all right, well here is your wednesday weather. it is going to be much drier in the northeast with exception of a few morning showers in northern new england. scattered thunderstorms through much of florida. showers, minneapolis, green bay, and that will go to the canadian border. >> 60s from fargo to detroit. mostly 70s along the east coast. 80s in the plains. a sizzling 103 degrees in

phoenix. now to another of the heart-warming stories we love, homecomings. this time a dad returning from afghanistan, surprised his little girl at her elementary school in michigan. oh, man. corporal jeff harris actually had gotten home the night before. >> but in order to carry off the big surprise he slept on a friend's couch so his daughter would be kept in the dark. dad said making the reunion special had been on his mind during his whole deployment. >> oh. >> at that age too, a little embarrassed. see her walk off, because she is in front of her friend. >> she is adorable. >> cutie pie. >> i cry every time. >> i love the stories. i don't quite cry. but it puts a big smile on my face. still ahead, we asked you to weigh in on the secret romney tape. you flooded your facebook page with opinions. nearly 500 posted comments. we'll share a few coming up. >> first, iphones, the new accessory, john doesn't have one yet, for thieves. how a lucrative black market is providing a big incentive for

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♪ papa would have shot him if he knew what he'd done ♪ ♪ we hear it from the people >> who doesn't love cher? who doesn't love cher? cher singing the song called "gypsies, tramps and thieves." we'll leave the gypsies and thieves for another morning. >> if you have an iphone you could be at risk. abc's pierre thomas reports from washington. >> reporter: in southern california watch as these

thieves so desperate for new iphones they crash a bmw into an apple store. look -- the bandits drive the car right in the middle of the store. the robber snatches iphone after iphone, all part of a trend of theft so common it has a name, apple picking. and it's dangerous. in this surveillance video shot in brooklyn, the thug sneaks up on his victim and puts her in a headlock in an iphone robbery. the spate of apple robberies is part of an expanding violent epidemic where all smart phones are being targeted. according to the fcc over the last year, roughly one out of every three robberies nationwide has involved the theft of a cell phone. >> the numbers are really staggering. staggering. >> reporter: in the last four years in washington, d.c. alone, 6,611 cell phones have been stolen. >> they're targeting people that they perceive to be vulnerable, women, women with baby carriages, older folks. >> reporter: why so many thefts? the phones can be easily resold on the street or online. often at hundreds of dollars a pop. step one in curbing the epidemic, raising public

awareness. that means getting people to understand when you are walking down the street with your cell phone stuck in your ear, thieves just see a wad of cash. >> help, help, help, i have been snatched. >> reporter: the las vegas police put out a public service announcement featuring the voice of siri, the iphone artificial intelligence. >> i really don't enjoy being stolen. >> reporter: recently the fcc alang with major carriers announced that they're developing a national database to track stolen cell phones and then block their reactivation. the plan is to make stolen cell phones junk. and in the long run put fewer people at risk to disturbing attacks like these. pierre thomas, abc news, washington. that's why i was -- i didn't realize that you could use the phone after it was stolen. i thought you sort of kill the phone remotely once it is reported stolen. but if you can reactivate it, that is a real problem.

>> hopefully they get to the bottom of that thing. i think i could beg people to steal my phone. they wouldn't take it. there you go! hey, sunny, i got some phones for you. >> phones, john. >> i got three for $500. what do you say? >> such a new yorker. "the skinny" is coming up next. we have some great stuff for you today, including a pregnant jennifer aniston. >> you will want to hear about that. and a return to tv for reggie. you are watching "world news now." >> announcer: abc's "world news now" will continue after this from our abc stations.

♪ skinny ♪ so skinny >> and now it's time for "the skinny." get this -- regis philbin is coming back. >> you can't keep that man -- >> 81 years old. >> -- he's too much of a performer. >> making his tv return as a recurring co-host on rachel ray's show. >> okay. interesting. >> we'll see him, appearing once a month on the show. featuring celebrity interviews, cookery, studio discussions. he isn't going to be helping rachel cook. he says he -- he is not a cook.

he can make a sandwich. that is about it. he wouldn't mind letting rachel teach him how to cook at home and really surprising his wife. >> i was reading a little bit about that too. the good thing, you don't have to do it every day. just come in once a month. not a big thing hanging over my head. >> 81 years old. >> just dabble in tv. >> dabbling a bit. i am happy. i am happy. i love regis. >> sound like a good gig. we should dabble in tv. wouldn't that be nice? let's talk about tori spelling. bit of a scary weekend for her. delivered her fourth child. she is recovering from emergency surgery. she underwent some complications from her c section, she had an emergency surgery. this is from spelling's rep. remains in the hospital. resting comfortably. fourth baby. second c-section in the same year. not on her feet. but said to be proud of the rest of the kids how they're looking after their new sibling. good for her. >> wishing her well. from one mama to another. i had two c sections. it is not easy. jennifer aniston. >> tell me.

>> she is, has a new sort of video -- commercial. coming up for smart water which is, is doing really well. it's sort of features this shocking fake security tape, taken from her home. so check this out. >> oh, god. oh, god. oh. so much bet. how are my little triplets doing? >> awesome. >> she probably drinks some smart water. because she says, they must be thirsty. this is great. because she is always in the news, right, always in the tabloids, talking about her. her flat tummy. how she wants to be pregnant. and she's not -- look, look. the rachel wig. now the real jennifer aniston hair. it's nice -- she is poking fun at herself. >> good for her. if the girdles work that good. a lot of dudes would get them.

>> oh, man! >> let's talk about ben affleck, sent thing as but -- ben affleck, said a few things about his dating days, with jennifer lopez, dated and made gigli. the lowest point in his life. it was an annus horribilis. i got short-handed as that guy. therefore, i was thought of as thoughtless, dilettante, solocistic, consumer, blah, blah, blah. yeah, basically not too many great things to say about his time with j-lo. >> sorry, i remember the video. he looked real happy with jennifer lopez. >> he did seem happy at the time. >> he looked real happy. this is some revisionist history, ben, from what i remember, it was j-lo on the block you were right on the block, on the boat. >> you got on that one. didn't you? >> i don't like that. >> don't like the kissing and telling. i don't like kissing and telling either. >> i don't like bad mouthing exes you looked so happy with. rubbing the suntan lotion on her bum. >> sunny, how do you really feel? >> that's how i feel.

>> coming up, hundred of you are weighing in on the presidential race. >> what you are telling us online. that's coming up next on "world news now." >> yeah, i don't like that. and me discovering novolog mix 70/30 flexpen. flexpen is pre-filled with your pre-mix insulin. dial the exact dose. inject by pushing a button. no vials, syringes or coolers to carry. flexpen is insulin delivery my way. novolog mix 70/30 is an insulin used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes. do not inject if you do not plan to eat within 15 minutes to avoid low blood sugar. tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. most common side effects include reactions at the injection site, weight gain, swelling of your hands and feet, and vision changes. other serious side effects include low blood sugar and low potassium in your blood. get medical help right away if you experience serious allergic reactions,

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♪ you talk too much note note you never shut up ♪ ♪ you talk too much >> that is a timeless message, isn't it? never goes out of style. finally this morning, what you are telling us about mitt romney and those secretly recorded comments. as we reported romney told donors at a fund raiser that 47% of the country that pays no income taxes believes the government has a responsibility to care for them. >> so we asked you, what do you think of mitt romney's victims comment? >> we got tons and tons of comments that ran the gamut. you had a lot to say. in fact, massive responses. probably the most comments we ever had on our facebook question of the day. start out with jodi. quote, he said what he truly felt about the middle-class. true feelings always come out. he thought he was among friends. >> cynthia was a little more rough.

saying, quote, i think he sounds arrogant. the victim and the entitlement statements were offensive as well as the mexican comment. >> garvin says, if you are one of the 47% getting free stuff paid for by some one else, you don't like the comments. reality bites. we're broke. at some point enough is enough. >> romney seemed to find a friend in christine who said i didn't think it was that out of line. maybe 47% is a little inflated. but there are people who feel entitled. there are also people who just want to survive. >> this one pushed buttons for sure. >> it really did. actually, the comments were sort of all over the place. not all over the place. i don't mean that. i mean sort of -- on either side of the comments. that was interesting as well. >> yep. we'll see if he lives this one down. it's still going strong. >> i think it is really close to the campaign. you know? what are we six weeks out, seven weeks out? >> yeah, not too far away. >> not too far away. don't know how you retool it. interesting he hasn't stepped back from the comment. he sort of embraced it. his campaign embraced it.

hey, this is what i believe. you have got to, i think you have to appreciate -- the transparency in that. this is what i said. this is what i believe. i'm sticking to it. >> the content of the word aren't so much -- the problem as the image it gives. a lot of people have taken away an image that is going to be really hard for him to overcome. >> the interesting thing for me has always been, the obama administration, the obama campaign should be pretty vulnerable at this point. i mean the economy is not doing well. but with these gaffes -- the campaign is actually doing pretty well. >> no doubt about that. >> we'll see. that's the news for this half-hour. don't miss our updates on facebook at wnnfans.com. >> and on twitter at abcwnn -- use the #wnnfans. >> comeing up -- more news. we'll be right back. >> announcer: this is abc's "world news now," informing insomniacs for two decades. "world news now," informing insomniacs for two decades.